Cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

An applicator comprising a stem having a handle at its proximal end and an applicator element at its distal end. The applicator element is constructed from a filament constructed at least partially from a thermal storage material that is capable of retaining heat or cold for application to a body. The applicator element comprises at least two loops which provide a discontinuous application surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of Indian Provisional Application Ser.No. 1263/DEL/2014, filed May 9, 2014, which is incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an applicatorcomprising a stem having a handle at its proximal end and an applicatorelement at its distal end. The applicator element is constructed, atleast partially, from a thermal storage material that is capable ofretaining heat or cold for application to a body. The applicator may beused to apply a cosmetic product, medicinal product, or a personal careproduct.

2. Description of the Related Art

The present disclosure relates to a packaging and applicator device forproducts including cosmetic product, medicinal product, personal careproduct, or other types of product.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,390 discloses an applicator for applying acomposition on eyelashes or eyebrows. The applicator comprises branchesthat are united at ends thereof and that carry protruding elements thatmight be flocked. At least a fraction of the protruding elements can bemade on each opposite region of a support by being molded or injectedonto the support, or by being cut out and deformed from a sheet ofmetal.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,143 discloses an applicator including a cord in theform of a loop, provided with a flock coating. This cord includes, forexample, a core made of polyvinyl chloride elastomer, polyurethaneelastomer or polyester elastomer, this core having a diameter of 0.1 to3 mm.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,999,642 discloses an applicator having a stem and a tipin the form of a loop adapted to hold a quantity of liquid and bentlaterally with respect to the stem to facilitate bringing the loop intosubstantially flat contact with the surface being treated. The tip maybe flattened to improve the contact between it and the surface beingtreated and to facilitate the transfer of liquid there from to saidsurface.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2008038043 discloses an applicator having astem and a tip in the form of a loop having a smooth surface. The loopis made of a flexible material presenting a modulus of elasticity lessthan or equal to 300 megapascals (MPa) at 20[deg.]C.

The existing applicators are typically designed to achieve a particulareffect. None of the applicators described above provide any type oftreatment, therapy, or sensation for example a cooling or heatingsensation to the surface being treated. Therefore it is an object of thepresent disclosure to provide an applicator capable of providing coolingor heating sensation on skin.

It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide an applicatorwhich is capable of providing a larger contact area on the surface beingtreated.

It is further an object of the present disclosure to provide anapplicator having a cavity/reservoir for being loaded with product, thecavity may constitute a supply of product, thereby enabling theapplicator to be used for a greater length of time or enabling a greaterquantity of product to be deposited more easily.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to an applicator for applying aproduct to a surface such as a face, head, skin, hair or body of aperson, to achieve one or more effects and to impart a treatment,therapy, and/or sensation (e.g., a cooling or warming treatment,therapy, or sensation) during use. The product may be a cosmeticproduct, medicinal product, personal care product, or other types ofproduct. The cosmetic product may include, but are not limited to, skintreatment, mascara, lash growth, lash treatment, conditioner, primer,colorant, brow treatment, nail treatment, lip gloss, lipstick, eyeshadow, and the like. The cosmetic product may be in the form of, forexample, liquids, gels, creams, oil-based products, wax-based products,water-based products, or the like.

According to an embodiment, the applicator comprises a stem having ahandle at its proximal end and an applicator element at its distal end.

According to another embodiment, the applicator element is constructed,at least partially, from a thermal storage material that is capable ofretaining heat or cold for application to a body. The thermal storagematerial may comprise, for example, a metal, ceramic, glass, and/orother material with a relatively high thermal storage capacity and/orthermal conductivity. When used to apply the product to the body, thethermal storage material of the applicator element may impart a coolingor warming treatment, therapy, or sensation to the body, therebyaccentuating the application of the product.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a packaging andapplicator device comprising a receptacle that may contain the productto be applied and the applicator. The applicator of the presentdisclosure is housed in the receptacle and the handle of the applicatormay also constitute a closure cap that seals the receptacle when dosed.

According to another embodiment, the stem has a longitudinal axis, whichmay be rectilinear but in other embodiments, the stem may be curved, maybe bendable, may have an elbow, etc. The handle and the stem may beconstructed of plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), Polyoxymethylene (POM)), or any other suitablematerial.

According to another embodiment, the applicator element comprises atleast one filament having at least one end attached to the distal end ofthe stem. According to an alternate embodiment the at least one filamenthas at least one other end also fixed to the distal end of the stem.However, it would not be beyond the scope of the present disclosure ifthe at least one other end of the at least one filament of theapplicator element is free and is not attached to the distal end of thestem.

According to another embodiment, the at least one filament comprises ofone or more materials. The at least one filament may comprise acontinuous single length of one material or it may comprise of two ormore portions of one or more materials connected together. The two ormore portions may be connected together or formed as one by variousattachment means like adhesive, snap fitting, integrally molded, pressmolding, bi-injection molding and the like.

At least one portion of the at least one filament is constructed of amaterial capable of holding and retaining a thermal charge. In otherembodiments, the at least one filament is constructed of any suitablematerial capable of retaining and/or transferring heat or cold duringapplication of the product. For example, the material may include, butis not limited to, metal, glass, and/or ceramics. The metal may includecarbon, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, chrome, copper, gold,nickel, platinum, silver, titanium, alloys, combinations thereof, or thelike. Further, the material may include a base metal of zinc andalloying elements of aluminum, magnesium, and copper (e.g., Zamac).

In other embodiments, stones, additives, resin, magnetic components, orany other components may be added separately or in combination to themetal, ceramic, and/or glass. For instance, stones may include but arenot limited to, jade, opal, turquoise, amethyst, aquamarine, Tiger'seye, coral, amber, quartz, onyx, and tanzanite. In other embodiments,magnetic components may be added that include but are not limited to,magnetic powders, magnetic compounds, or magnetic strips. The magneticpowders may include but are not limited to, ferrite magnetic powder,barium ferrite magnetic powder, strontium ferrite magnetic powder, rareearth magnetic powder, iron oxide compound, a combination of aluminium(aluminum), nickel, and cobalt (Alnico) with iron and small amounts ofother components.

According to another embodiment, the at least one filament is bent toprovide a discontinuous application surface by forming at least onecavity/reservoir. Alternatively, different portions of one or morematerial may be connected or integrally molded together to provide adiscontinuous application surface by forming at least one cavity/reservoir. The two or more portions may be connected together or formedas one by various attachment means like adhesive, snap fitting,integrally molded, press molding and the like.

The cavity/reservoir is made so as to be suitable for being loaded withthe product. The cavity/reservoir may constitute a supply of product,thereby enabling the applicator element to be used for a greater lengthof time or enabling a greater quantity of product to be deposited moreeasily, for example, to reinforce a makeup effect, such as glossiness ofa gloss.

According to another embodiment, the cavity/reservoir opens to theoutside. The cavity/reservoir which opens to the outside furtherprovides air cooling of the product as when the applicator elementloaded with the product is removed from the receptacle, the productstored in the cavity is exposed to the air from both the sides of theapplicator element.

According to another embodiment, the applicator element comprises atleast two loops forming one or more cavities or reservoirs for holdingthe product.

As used herein, the term “loop” includes a substantially U-shaped curveor U-shaped bend. The “loop” within the present disclosure encompassesboth open ended loops and close ended loops.

According to still another embodiment, the applicator element comprisesat least two loops wherein each of the at least two loops is formed bygiving a reverse bend to at least one portion of the at least onefilament, in a direction towards the distal end of the stem. The atleast two loops extend in a direction of the applicator.

According to another embodiment, the at least two loops of theapplicator element may be formed by injection molding, bi-injectionmolding, multi-injection molding, press molding and the like.

According to another embodiment, a concave side of the reverse bend ofthe each of the at least two loops faces towards the distal end of thestem.

According to another embodiment, each of the at least two loops has apair of legs.

According to another embodiment, at least one leg from a pair of legs ofeach of the at least two loops, is not parallel to the longitudinal axisof the stem.

According to another embodiment, the legs of each of the at least twoloops lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the stem of theapplicator.

According to another alternate embodiment, the legs of each of the atleast two loops lie on same side of the longitudinal axis of the stem ofthe applicator.

According to another embodiment, the at least two loops may lie in sameplane or in different planes.

According to another embodiment, at least two portions of each of the atleast two loops may lie in same plane or in different planes.

According to first exemplary embodiment, the applicator elementcomprises a first loop and a second loop forming a first cavity and asecond cavity respectively.

According to the embodiment, the applicator element comprises an outerfirst loop forming a first cavity and an inner second loop forming asecond cavity.

The at least one portion of the at least one filament whose one end isattached to the distal end of the stem is bent to provide a first loopor curve by giving the at least one portion of the at least onefilament, a first reverse bend in a direction towards the distal end ofthe stem such that a concave side of the reverse bend/first curve facestowards the distal end of the stem. Further, at least one other portionof the at least one filament is bent again to provide a second loop orcurve by giving the at least one other portion of the at least onefilament, a second reverse bend in a direction towards the distal end ofthe stem such that a concave side of the second reverse bend facestowards the distal end of the stem.

According to the present embodiment, at least a portion of the firstloop and at least a portion of the second loop may lie in the same planeor in different planes.

According to the present embodiment, at least one of the first loop andthe second loop does not lie in a single plane.

According to an alternate embodiment, at least one of the first loop andthe second loop lies in a single plane.

According to present embodiment, the first loop includes a pair of legsand the second loop includes another pair of legs.

According to present embodiment, each of the pair of legs of the firstloop and the second loop lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axisof the stem.

According to an embodiment, an end portion of one of the legs of thefirst loop is in continuum with starting portion of one of the legs ofthe second loop.

According to an embodiment, a third loop may be defined by the legs ofthe first and second loops, which are in continuum.

According to an embodiment, each leg from the pair of legs of the firstloop may include a longitudinal axis that extends substantially parallelto a common plane. According to an alternate embodiment, the pair oflegs of the first loop may include longitudinal axes that are notparallel to a common plane.

According to an embodiment, each leg from the pair of legs of the secondloop may include a longitudinal axis that extends substantially parallelto a common plane. According to an alternate embodiment, the pair oflegs of the second loop may include longitudinal axes that are notparallel to a common plane.

According to an alternate embodiment, one leg from the pair of legs ofeach of the first loop and the second loop lies forward of other legfrom the pair of legs of said loop. The leg which lies forward of otherleg is referred to as the upper leg and the leg which lies backward isreferred to as the under leg.

According to the present embodiment, a pair of legs of at least one loopcrosses one another at a point but may or may not touch each other atthe point of crossing. The point of crossing may lie in a gap betweenthe upper leg and the under leg.

According to a second exemplary embodiment, the applicator elementcomprises at least one filament which is bent to provide a discontinuousapplication surface by forming two adjacent loops forming two or morecavities.

According to the present embodiment, at least one portion of the atleast one filament is bent to form a first loop by giving the at leastone portion of the filament a first reverse bend in a direction towardsthe distal end of the stem, such that one leg of the first loop islonger than its other leg. A concave side of the first reverse bendfaces towards the distal end of the stem. Further, at least one otherportion of the at least one filament is bent again to provide a secondloop by giving the at least one other portion of the filament, a secondreverse bend in a direction towards the distal end of the stem, suchthat the first loop and the second loop are adjacent to each other andone leg of the adjacent second loop is longer than its other leg. Aconcave side of the second reverse bend faces towards the distal end ofthe stem.

According to present embodiment, adjacent first and second loops contacteach other at two different points.

According to a third exemplary embodiment, the applicator elementcomprises at least one filament which is bent to provide a discontinuousapplication surface by forming at least two adjacent loops forming oneor more cavities or reservoirs.

According to the present embodiment, at least one portion of the atleast one filament is bent to provide a first loop by giving the atleast one portion of the filament a first reverse bend in a directiontowards the distal end of the stem, such that one leg of the first loopis longer than the other leg. A concave side of the first reverse bendfaces the distal end of the stem. Further, the smaller leg of the firstloop is curved such that it is substantially parallel to the longer legof the first loop. Further, at least one other portion of the at leastone filament is bent again to provide a second loop or curve by givingthe at least one other portion of the filament a second reverse bend ina direction towards the distal end of the stem, such that one leg of thesecond loop is longer than its other leg. A concave side of the secondreverse bend faces the distal end of the stem. Further, the smaller legof the second loop is curved such that it is substantially parallel toits longer leg. The first loop and the second loop together form a firstcavity or reservoir for holding the product.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the smaller legs of thepair of legs of the first loop and the second loop are in continuum andtogether form a third loop which further forms a second cavity/reservoirfor holding the product.

According to the present embodiment the first loop and second loop areseparated by third loop such that the first, second and third loops liein the same plane.

According to an alternate embodiment, at least one of the first loop,the second loop or third loop does not lie in a single plane.

According to a fourth exemplary embodiment the applicator elementcomprises at least one filament bent to provide a discontinuousapplication surface by forming at least one cavity/reservoir.

According to present embodiment, the at least one filament is bent toprovide at least one cavity/reservoir for holding the product. The atleast one cavity/reservoir is formed by two loops. At least a portion ofthe at least one filament is bent to provide a first loop by giving theat least one portion of the at least one filament a first reverse bendin a direction towards the distal end of the stem, such that the firstloop has one leg longer than its another leg. A concave side of thefirst reverse bend faces towards the distal end of the stem. Further, atleast one other portion of the at least one filament is bent again toprovide a second loop by giving the at least one other portion of the atleast one filament a second reverse bend in a direction towards thedistal end of the stem, such that the second loop also has one leglonger than its another leg. A concave side of the second reverse bendfaces towards the distal end of the stem.

According to the present embodiment, the legs of the first loop lie onopposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the stem and the legs of thesecond loop also lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of thestem.

Further, according to the present embodiment, end portion of smaller legof the first loop is in continuum with starting portion of smaller legof the second loop.

According to the present embodiment, a third loop forming a cavity maybe defined by the smaller leg of the first loop and the smaller leg ofthe second loop, which are in continuum. A concave side of the thirdloop faces away from the distal end of the stem.

According to the present embodiment, the first loop and the second looplie in different planes. Further, according to the present embodiment atleast a portion of the second loop lies forward of at least a portion ofthe first loop such that the first loop is referred as under loop andthe second loop is referred as upper loop. The smaller leg of the firstloop and the smaller leg of the second loop cross each other at a pointsuch that the smaller leg of the first loop is the under leg and thesmaller leg of the second loop is the upper leg.

According to a fifth exemplary embodiment, the applicator elementcomprises at least one filament bent to provide at least onecavity/reservoir for holding the product. The at least onecavity/reservoir is formed by a first loop. At least a portion of the atleast one filament is bent to provide a first loop by giving the atleast one portion of the at least one filament a first reverse bend in adirection towards the distal end of the stem, such that the first loophas a leg longer than its another leg. A concave side of the firstreverse bend faces the distal end of the stem. The two legs of the firstloop lie in different planes such that one of the two legs is upper legand the other leg is under leg. Further, the two legs of the first loopcross each other at a point. Further, at least one other portion of theat least one filament is bent again to provide a second loop or curve bygiving the at least one other portion of the filament a second reversebend in a direction towards the distal end of the stem, such that thefirst loop and the second loop are in close contact or substantiallycontiguous with each other. A concave side of the second reverse bendfaces the distal end of the stem. Further, the second loop has one legsmaller in length to another leg and lie in same plane. One of the legsof second loop meets one of the legs of the first loop at a point.Further, at least one other portion of the at least one filament is bentagain to provide a third loop by giving the at least one portion of thefilament a third reverse bend in a direction towards the distal end ofthe stem such that the third loop has two legs and at least one portionof each of the two legs lie on one side of the longitudinal axis of thestem and at least one other portion of each of the two legs lie onopposite side of the longitudinal axis of the stem. In other words, atleast one other portion of the at least one filament is bent to providea third loop or curve by bending the at least one other portion in formof “S” before giving a reverse bend in a direction towards the distalend of the stem. Further, third loop has an under leg and an upper legcrossing each other at point. The third loop forms a second cavity.Alternatively, the loops of the applicator element may be formed byinjection molding, bi-injection molding, multi-injection molding, pressmolding and the like.

According to the present embodiment, the first loop, the second loop andthe third loop lie in different planes.

According to the present embodiment, the first loop, the second loop andthe third loop are in continuum.

In alternate embodiments of the present disclosure, a portion of theapplicator element may be flocked.

In yet other alternate embodiments of the present disclosure, at least aportion of the applicator element may have texture.

According to another embodiment, the receptacle may be constructed ofplastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM)), or any other suitable material, forcontaining the products described below. The product in the receptaclemay be cosmetic product, medicinal product, personal care product, orother types of product.

According to another embodiment, the receptacle has a substantiallyrectangular cross-sectional shape. According to alternate embodiments,the receptacle may have a substantial triangular cross-sectional shape,substantially circular cross-sectional shape (e.g., a cylindrical tube)or any other suitable receptacle shape.

According to another embodiment, the at least one filament may have acircular or a non-circular cross-section such as oval, elliptic, orpolygonal cross-section.

According to another embodiment, a top of the receptacle may be providedwith a neck in which a wiper member may be engaged. The wiper member isconfigured to remove any excess product from the stem and the applicatorelement when the applicator is removed from the receptacle to apply theproduct to the surface to be treated such as face, head, skin, lips,hair or body of a person. Preferably, the surface to be treated is skinof face.

According to another embodiment the handle may be screwed on the neckbut in other embodiments, the handle may be fastened in some other way,for example, by snap-fastening.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become clear from the following description of thepreferred embodiments when the same is read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a packaging andapplicator device according to first embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 b illustrate a perspective view and a front view ofan applicator of the packaging and applicator device of FIG. 1 accordingto first embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 c illustrates a side view of the applicator of FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b illustrate a front view and a perspective view ofan applicator according to second embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b illustrate a front view and a perspective view ofan applicator according to third embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 a and FIG. 5 b illustrate a front view and a perspective view ofan applicator according to fourth embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b illustrate a front view and a perspective view ofan applicator according to fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that the appended drawings illustrate only typicalembodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be consideredlimiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equallyeffective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a packaging and applicator device 1 comprising: areceptacle 2 that may contain a product (not shown) to be applied; andan applicator 3. The applicator 3 comprises a stem 4 elongated along alongitudinal axis X. The stem 4 is provided at its proximal end with ahandle 5, which also constitutes a closure cap that seals the receptacle2 when closed, and provided at a distal end thereof with an applicatorelement 6.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an axis X of the stem 4 isrectilinear, but in other embodiments, the stem 4 may be curved, may bebendable, may have an elbow, etc. The handle 5 and the stem 4 may beconstructed of plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP), acrylontrile butadienestyrene (ABS), Polyoxymethylene (POM)), or any other suitable material.

The receptacle 2 may be constructed of plastic (e.g., polypropylene(PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM)), orany other suitable material, for containing the products describedbelow.

The product in the receptacle 2 may be a cosmetic product, medicinalproduct, personal care product, or other types of product. The cosmeticproduct may include, but are not limited to, skin treatment, mascara,lash growth, lash treatment, conditioner, primer, colorant, browtreatment, nail treatment, lip gloss, lipstick, eye shadow and the like.The cosmetic product may be in the form of, for example, liquids, gels,creams, oil-based products, wax-based products, water-based products, orthe like.

The receptacle 2 in the present embodiment has a substantiallyrectangular cross-sectional shape. However, a variety of receptaclecross-sectional shapes and types are contemplated. For example, thereceptacle 2 may have a substantial triangular cross-sectional shape,substantially circular cross-sectional shape (e.g., a cylindrical tube)or any other suitable receptacle shape.

A top of the receptacle 2 is provided with a neck 7 in which a wipermember 8 is engaged. The wiper member 8 is configured to remove anyexcess product from the stem 4 and the applicator element 6 when theapplicator 3 is removed from the receptacle 2 to apply the product to asurface such as a face, head, skin, hair or body of a person, to achieveone or more effects and to impart a treatment, therapy, and/or sensation(e.g., a cooling or warming treatment, therapy, or sensation) duringuse.

The wiper member 8 may be made of a material, for example, a polyolefinor an elastomer. The polyolefin may be polyethylene, for example, suchas low- or high-density polyethylene.

The handle 5 is screwed on the neck 7, but in other embodiments, thehandle 5 may be fastened in some other way, for example, bysnap-fastening.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c show a perspective view, a front view and a sideview respectively, of the applicator element 6 according to firstembodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the applicator element 6 comprises atleast one filament 9 having at least one end 10 attached to the distalend of the stem 4. The at least one filament 9 has at least one otherend 11 also fixed to the distal end of the stem 4. However, it would notbe beyond the scope of the present disclosure, if the at least one otherend 11 is free and is not attached to the distal end of the stem 4.

The at least one filament 9 comprises a continuous single length of amaterial bent to provide a discontinuous application surface by formingat least one cavity/reservoir. It would not be beyond the scope of thepresent disclosure, if the at least one filament 9 of the applicatorelement 6 comprises of more than one material. The cavity/reservoir ismade so as to be suitable for being loaded with the product. Thecavity/reservoir may constitute a supply of product, thereby enablingthe applicator element 6 to be used for a greater length of time orenabling a greater quantity of product to be deposited more easily, forexample, to reinforce a makeup effect, such as glossiness of a gloss.

According to the present embodiment, the at least one filament 9 is bentto provide two cavities or reservoirs 12 and 12 a for holding theproduct. Alternatively, the applicator element may be formed byinjection molding, bi-injection molding, multi-injection molding, pressmolding and the like.

In the present embodiment, the applicator element 6 comprises a firstloop 13 forming a first cavity 12 and a second loop 14 forming a secondcavity 12 a.

The first and the second cavities 12 and 12 a open to the outside. Itmay be advantageous for the cavity to open to the outside as such aconfiguration may make it easier to deposit the product contained in thecavity on surface to be treated.

The cavity/reservoir which opens to the outside further provides aircooling of the product as when the applicator element 6 loaded with theproduct is removed from the receptacle 2, the product stored in thecavity is exposed to the air from both the sides of the applicatorelement.

According to the present embodiment, at least one portion of the atleast one filament 9 is bent to provide a first loop 13 by giving the atleast one portion of the filament 9 a first reverse bend in a directiontowards the distal end of the stem 4. A concave side 13 a of the firstreverse bend of the first loop 13 faces towards the distal end of thestem 4. Further, at least one other portion of the at least one filament9 is bent again to provide a second loop 14 by giving the at least oneother portion of the filament 9, a second reverse bend in a directiontowards the distal end of the stem 4. A concave side 14 a of the secondreverse bend of the second loop 14 faces towards the distal end of thestem 4. According to the present embodiment, the second loop 14 ispresent inside the first loop 13 or the second loop 14 is at leastpartially encased by the first loop 13. The first loop 13 is an outerloop and the second loop 14 is an inner loop. Further, according to thepresent embodiment, the second loop 14 is smaller in dimension ascompared to the first loop 13. However, it would not be beyond the ambitof the present disclosure if the second loop 14 is present on top of thefirst loop 13 such that the first loop 13 and the second loop 14 aresubstantially similar in dimension.

According to the present embodiment, the first loop 13 includes a pairof legs 15 and 16 and the second loop 14 includes a pair of legs 17 and18.

According to the present embodiment, the legs 15 and 16 of the firstloop 13 lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4and the legs 17 and 18 of the second loop 14 lie on opposite sides ofthe longitudinal axis X of the stem 4. According to the presentembodiment, the legs 15 and 16 of the first loop 13 and the legs 17 and18 of the second loop 14 are non parallel to the longitudinal axis X ofthe stem 4.

According to present embodiment, an end portion of the leg 16 of thefirst loop 13 is in continuum with a starting portion of the leg 17 ofthe second loop 14.

Further, according to present embodiment, a third loop 20 is defined bythe leg 16 and leg 17, of the first loop 13 and the second loop 14respectively, which are in continuum. A concave side 20 a of the thirdloop 20 faces away from the distal end of the stem 4.

According to the present embodiment and as shown in FIG. 2 c at leasttwo portions 13 b, 13 c of the first loop 13 lie in two different planesand at least two portions 14 b, 14 c of the second loop 14 also lie intwo different planes.

In alternate embodiments, at least one of the first loop 13 and thesecond loop 14 may lie in a single plane.

In yet another alternate embodiment, both the first loop 13 and thesecond loop 14 lie in a single plane.

According to present embodiment, at least a portion 13 b of the firstloop 13 and at least a portion 14 b of the second loop 14 lie indifferent planes. It would not be beyond the scope of the presentdisclosure if at least a portion of the first loop 13 and at least aportion of the second loop 14 lie in the same plane.

According to an embodiment, a major portion of one leg from a pair oflegs of one loop lies forward of other leg from the pair of legs of saidloop.

According to present embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c, theleg 16 of the first loop 13 lies forward of the leg 15 of the first loop13. Further, the leg 17 of the second loop 14 lies forward of the leg 18of the second loop 14. Thus, the legs 15 and 16 of the first loop andthe legs 17 and 18 of the second loop lie in different planes.

According to present embodiment, a major portion of the first loop 13lies forward of a major portion of the second loop 14.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the leg 17 of the secondloop 14 lies forward of the leg 15 of the first loop 13. Thus, the leg17 of the second loop 14 and the leg 15 of the first loop 13 lie indifferent planes.

Further, according to an embodiment, a pair of legs of at least one loopcrosses one another at a point but may or may not touch each other atthe point of crossing.

According to present embodiment, the legs 17 and 18 of the second loop14 cross each other at point 19. The leg 17 is referred to as the upperleg and the leg 18 is referred to as the under leg.

The at least one filament 9 is constructed of a material capable ofholding and retaining a thermal charge. In other embodiments, the atleast one filament 9 is constructed of any suitable material capable ofretaining and/or transferring heat or cold during application of theproduct. For example, the material may include, but is not limited to,metal, glass, and/or ceramics. The metal may include, carbon steel,stainless steel, aluminum, brass, chrome, copper, gold, nickel,platinum, silver, titanium, alloys, combinations thereof, or the like.Further, the material may include a base metal of zinc and alloyingelements of aluminum, magnesium, and copper (e.g., Zamac).

In other embodiments, stones, additives, resin, magnetic components, orany other components may be added separately or in combination to themetal, ceramic, and/or glass. For instance, stones may include but arenot limited to, jade, opal, turquoise, amethyst, aquamarine, Tiger'seye, coral, amber, quartz, onyx, and tanzanite. In other embodiments,magnetic components may be added that include but are not limited to,magnetic powders, magnetic compounds, or magnetic strips. The magneticpowders may include but are not limited to, ferrite magnetic powder,barium ferrite magnetic powder, strontium ferrite magnetic powder, rareearth magnetic powder, iron oxide compound, a combination of aluminium(aluminum), nickel, and cobalt (Alnico) with iron and small amounts ofother components.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a front view and a perspective view of anapplicator element 100 according to second embodiment of the disclosure.

The applicator element 100 shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b is similar to theapplicator element 6 shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c as it also comprises atleast one filament 101 similar to the at least one filament 9, made upof a continuous single length of one or more materials, bent to providea discontinuous application surface by forming at least onecavity/reservoir.

According to present embodiment, the at least one filament 101 is bentto form at least two cavities or reservoirs 102 and 102 a for holdingthe product. The two cavities or reservoirs 102 and 102 a are formed bya first loop 103 and a second loop 104 respectively. At least oneportion of the at least one filament 101 is bent to form a first loop103 by giving the at least one portion of the filament 101 a firstreverse bend in a direction towards the distal end of the stem 4, suchthat a leg 105 of the first loop 103 is longer than its leg 106. Aconcave side 103 a of the first reverse bend of the first loop 102 facestowards the distal end of the stem 4. Further, at least one otherportion of the at least one filament 101 is bent again to provide anadjacent second loop 104 by giving the at least one other portion of thefilament 101 a second reverse bend in a direction towards the distal endof the stem 4, such that a leg 108 of the second loop 104 is longer thanits another leg 107. A concave side 104 a of the second reverse bend ofthe second loop 104 faces towards the distal end of the stem 4.

Alternatively, the applicator element may be formed by injectionmolding, bi-injection molding, multi-injection molding, press moldingand the like.

According to the present embodiment, the legs 105 and 106 of the firstloop 103 lie on one side of the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4 andthe legs 107 and 108 of the second loop 14 lie on other side of thelongitudinal axis X of the stem 4.

According to the present embodiment, the leg 105 of the first loop 103and the leg 108 of the second loop 104 are non parallel to thelongitudinal axis X of the stem 4 whereas the leg 106 of the first loop103 and the leg 107 of the second loop 14 are parallel to thelongitudinal axis X of the stem 4.

According to present embodiment, the first loop 103 and the second loop104 are adjacent to each other and lie in the same plane.

According to a variant of the second embodiment, the first loop 103 andthe second loop 104 may not lie in the same plane.

Further, according to present embodiment, the legs 105 and 108 of thefirst loop 103 contact each other at a point 109. The legs 107 and 108of the second loop 104 contact each other at point 110.

Further, according to present embodiment, an end point of the leg 106contacts the leg 105 at a point 109 and an end point of the leg 107contacts the leg 108 at a point 110 such that the remaining portion ofthe legs 105 and 108 form another cavity 102 c.

Further, according to present embodiment, end portion of the leg 106 ofthe first loop 103 is in continuum with starting portion of the leg 107of the second loop 104.

According to present embodiment, a third loop 112 is defined by the leg106 of the first loop 103 and the leg 107 of the second loop 104, whichare in continuum. A concave side 112 a of the third loop 112 faces awayfrom the distal end of the stem 4.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a front view and a perspective view of anapplicator element 200 according to third embodiment of the disclosure.

The applicator element 200 shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is similar to theapplicator element 6 shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c as it also comprises atleast one filament 201 similar to the at least one filament 9, bent toprovide a discontinuous application surface by forming at least onecavity/reservoir.

According to the present embodiment, the at least one filament 201 isbent to provide at least one cavity/reservoir 202 for holding theproduct. The at least one cavity/reservoir 202 is formed by two loops203 and 204. At least one portion of the at least one filament 201 isbent to provide a first loop 203 by giving the at least one portion ofthe filament 201 a first reverse bend in a direction towards the distalend of the stem 4, such that a leg 205 of the first loop 203 is longerthan its leg 206. A concave side 203 a of the first reverse bend of thefirst loop 203 faces towards the distal end of the stem 4. Further, theleg 206 is curved such that it is substantially parallel to the leg 205.Further, at least one other portion of the at least one filament 201 isbent again to provide a second loop 204 by giving the at least one otherportion of the filament 201, a second reverse bend in a directiontowards the distal end of the stem 4, such that a leg 208 of the loop204 is longer than its leg 207. A concave side 204 a of the secondreverse bend of the second loop 204 faces towards the distal end of thestem 4. Further, the leg 207 is curved such that it is substantiallyparallel to the leg 208.

According to the present embodiment, the legs 205 and 206 of the firstloop 203 lie on one side of the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4 andthe legs 207 and 208 of the second loop 204 lie on other side of thelongitudinal axis X of the stem 4.

According to the present embodiment, the legs 205 and 206 of the firstloop 203 and the legs 207 and 208 of the second loop 204 are nonparallel to the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the legs 206 and 207 ofthe respective loops 203 and 204 are in continuum and together form athird loop 209 which further form another cavity/reservoir 202 a forholding the product. A concave side 209 a of the third loop 209 facesaway from the distal end of the stem 4.

According to the present embodiment the first loop 203 and the secondloop 204 are separated by the third loop 209 such that the loops 203,204 and 209 lie in the same plane.

According to a variant of the third embodiment, the loops 203, 204, and209 may not lie in the same plane.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show a front view and a perspective view of anapplicator element 300 according to fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

The applicator element 300 shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b is similar to theapplicator element 6 shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c as it also comprises atleast one filament 301 similar to the at least one filament 9, bent toprovide a discontinuous application surface by forming at least onecavity/reservoir.

According to present embodiment, the at least one filament 301 is bentto provide at least one cavity/reservoir 302 for holding the product.The at least one cavity/reservoir 302 is formed by two loops 303 and304. At least a portion of the at least one filament 301 is bent toprovide a first loop 303 by giving the at least one portion of the atleast one filament 301 a first reverse bend in a direction towards thedistal end of the stem 4, such that the first loop 303 has one leg 305longer than its another leg 306. A concave side 303 a of the firstreverse bend of the first loop 303 faces towards the distal end of thestem 4. Further, at least one other portion of the at least one filament301 is bent again to provide a second loop 304 by giving the at leastone other portion of the at least one filament 301 a second reverse bendin a direction towards the distal end of the stem 4, such that thesecond loop 304 also has one leg 308 longer than its another leg 307. Aconcave side 304 a of the second reverse bend of the second loop 304faces towards the distal end of the stem 4.

According to the present embodiment, the legs 305 and 306 of the firstloop 303 lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4and the legs 307 and 308 of the second loop 304 lie on opposite sides ofthe longitudinal axis X of the stem 4.

According to the present embodiment, the legs 305 and 306 of the firstloop 303 and the legs 307 and 308 of the second loop 304 are nonparallel to the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4.

Further, according to present embodiment, end portion of the leg 306 ofthe first loop 303 is in continuum with starting portion of the leg 307of the second loop 304.

According to present embodiment, a third loop 309 forming a cavity 302 ais defined by the leg 306 of the first loop 303 and the leg 307 of thesecond loop 304, which are in continuum. A concave side 309 a of thethird loop 309 faces away from the distal end of the stem 4.

According to the present embodiment, a portion of the first loop 303 anda portion of the second loop 304 lie in different planes. The leg 306 ofthe first loop 303 and the leg 307 of the second loop 304 cross eachother at a point (not shown) such that the leg 306 is the under leg andthe leg 307 is the upper leg.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show a front view and a perspective view of anapplicator element 400 according to fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

The applicator element 400 shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b comprises at leastone filament 401 similar to the at least one filament 9, bent to providea discontinuous application surface by forming at least onecavity/reservoir. The at least one filament 401 is a continuous singlelength of one or more materials.

According to the present embodiment, the at least one filament 401 isbent to provide at least one cavity/reservoir 402 for holding theproduct. The at least one cavity/reservoir 402 is formed by a first loop403. At least a portion of the at least one filament 401 is bent toprovide a first loop 403 by giving the at least one portion of thefilament 401 a first reverse bend in a direction towards the distal endof the stem 4, such that the first loop 403 has a leg 405 longer thanits leg 406. A concave side 403 a of the first reverse bend facestowards the distal end of the stem 4. Further the leg 405 and the leg406 lie in different planes such that the leg 406 is upper leg and theleg 405 is under leg and the legs 405 and 406 cross each other at apoint 407. Further, at least one other portion of the at least onefilament 401 is bent again to provide a second loop or curve 404 bygiving the at least one other portion of the filament 401 a secondreverse bend in a direction towards the distal end of the stem 4, suchthat the first loop 403 and the second loop 404 are in close contact orsubstantially contiguous with each other. A concave side 404 a of thesecond reverse bend faces towards the distal end of the stem 4. Further,the second loop 404 has a leg 408 smaller in length to its leg 409.Further the leg 408 and the leg 409 lie in same plane such that the leg408 and the leg 409 are at same level and the leg 409 meets the leg 405at a point 410. Further, at least one other portion of the at least onefilament 401 is bent again to provide a third loop 411 by giving the atleast one portion of the filament 401 a third reverse bend in adirection towards the distal end of the stem 4 such that the third loop411 has two legs 412 and 413. At least one portion of each of the legs412 and 413 lie on one side of the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4 andat least one other portion of each of the legs 412 and 413 lie onopposite side of the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4. In other words,at least one other portion of the at least one filament 401 is bent toprovide a third loop 411 by bending the at least one other portion otherportion in form of “S” before giving a reverse bend in a directiontowards the distal end of the stem 4. Further, the leg 412 is an underleg and the leg 413 is an upper leg and the legs 412 and 413 cross eachother at a point (not shown). The third loop 411 forms a second cavity402 a.

According to the present embodiment, the leg 405 of the first loop 403is parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the stem 4 whereas the leg 406of the first loop 403, the legs 408 and 409 of the second loop 404 andthe legs 412 and 413 of the third loop 411 are non parallel to thelongitudinal axis X of the stem 4.

According to an embodiment, the legs 412 and 413 may or may not toucheach other at the point of crossing.

It would not be beyond the ambit of the present disclosure if the lowerportions of the legs 412 and 413 crossing and touching each other at apoint may form another loop.

According to the present embodiment, the first loop 403, the second loop404 and the third loop 411 lie in different planes.

According to the present embodiment, the first loop 403, the second loop404 and the third loop 411 lie along the longitudinal axis X of the stem4.

In all the embodiments described above different portions of one or morematerial may be connected or integrally molded together to form loops toprovide a discontinuous application surface. The two or more portionsmay be connected together or formed as one by various attachment meanslike adhesive, snap fitting, integrally molded, press molding and thelike.

In all the embodiments, the at least one filament may have a circular ora non-circular cross-section such as oval, elliptic, or polygonalcross-section.

Although the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may bedevised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scopethereof is determined by the claims that follow. Accordingly, theappended claims should be construed to encompass not only those formsand embodiments of the disclosure specifically described above, but tosuch other forms and embodiments as may be devised by those skilled inthe art without departing from its true spirit and scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An applicator comprising: a stem having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle at the proximal end of the stem; and an applicator element at the distal end of the stem; wherein the applicator element comprises at least one filament, the filament at least partially constructed from a thermal storage material, wherein at least one end of the at least one filament is attached to the distal end of the stem; wherein the applicator element comprises at least two loops extending in a direction of the applicator; wherein the at least two loops comprising a first loop and a second loop; wherein the first loop is formed by giving a first reverse bend to at least one portion of the at least one filament, in a direction towards the distal end of the stem such that a concave side of the first reverse bend of the first loop faces towards the distal end of the stem; wherein the second loop is formed by giving a second reverse bend to at least one another portion of the at least one filament, in a direction towards the distal end of the stem such that a concave side of the second reverse bend of the second loop faces towards the distal end of the stem; and wherein the first loop and the second loop lie in different planes.
 2. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the thermal storage material is selected from a group of metal, alloy, glass, stone, resin and ceramics.
 3. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first loop and the second loop form one or more cavities.
 4. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the second loop is partially encased by the first loop.
 5. An applicator according to claim 4, wherein the second loop is smaller in dimension than the first loop.
 6. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two loops has a pair of legs and wherein the first loop comprises a first pair of legs including a first leg and a second leg and the second loop comprises another pair of legs including a first leg and a second leg.
 7. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein the first leg and the second leg of at least the first loop or the second loop lie on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the stem.
 8. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein the first leg and the second leg of at least the first loop or the second loop are non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stem.
 9. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein the first leg of at least the first loop or the second loop is longer than the second leg of corresponding loop.
 10. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein different portions of the at least one filament are constructed from different materials and wherein the different portions are connected together by an attachment means selected from adhesive, snap fitting, integrally molded and press molding.
 11. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein a third loop is defined by the second leg of the first loop and the first leg of the second loop which are in continuum.
 12. An applicator according to claim 11, wherein a concave side of the third loop faces away from the distal end of the stem.
 13. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein the first leg and the second leg of at least the first loop or the second loop lie on same side of a longitudinal axis of the stem.
 14. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the at least two loops contact each other at least at two different contact points.
 15. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein the pair of legs of at least one of the at least two loops crosses one another at a point.
 16. An applicator comprising: a stem having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle at the proximal end of the stem; an applicator element at the distal end of the stem; wherein the applicator element comprises at least one filament, the at least one filament at least partially constructed from a thermal storage material; wherein the at least one applicator element comprises at least two loops extending in a direction of the applicator; wherein the at least two loops comprising a first loop and a second loop; wherein the first loop is formed by giving a first reverse bend to at least one portion of the at least one filament, in a direction towards the distal end of the stem such that a concave side of the first reverse bend of the first loop faces towards the distal end of the stem; wherein the second loop is formed by giving a second reverse bend to at least one another portion of the at least one filament, in a direction towards the distal end of the stem such that a concave side of the second reverse bend of the second loop faces towards the distal end of the stem; wherein each of the at least two loops has a pair of legs; wherein the first loop comprises a first pair of legs including a first leg and a second leg; wherein the second loop comprises another pair of legs including a first leg and a second leg; and wherein the at least two loops lie in same plane.
 17. An applicator according to claim 16, wherein the pair of legs of each of the at least two loops have longitudinal axes that extend in a direction parallel to a common plane.
 18. An applicator according to claim 16, wherein the at least two loops contact each other at least at a point.
 19. An applicator according to claim 16, wherein the first leg and the second leg of at least the first loop or the second loop lie on same side of a longitudinal axis of the stem.
 20. An applicator according to claim 16, wherein a third loop is defined by the second leg of the first loop and the first leg of the second loop which are in continuum and wherein a concave side of the third loop faces away from the distal end of the stem. 